Ian Christian

Key Details

Biography

I am a medical negligence partner and deal with a wide variety of claims for individuals who have received substandard medical treatment.

I am an expert in all birth injury and neonatal claims, including cerebral palsy, erb’s palsy, hypoglycaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, and retinopathy of prematurity cases.

I have conducted a number of high profile multiparty actions, including:

Representing families whose cases were considered in the Health Care Commission’s 2006 report into maternal deaths at Northwick Park Hospital

Representing 9 families at inquests and with civil claims following the outbreak of endocarditis at the Trent Cardiac Centre in 2009

Concluding the civil claims arising from the deaths of residents at the Orchid View Care Home run by Southern Cross in November 2014. I had previously conducted the 8-week inquest and campaigned for a public inquiry.

I have advised the Care Quality Commission on the content of the Care Act 2014 and I am now an invitee to Public Policy events associated with improving care in the social and healthcare arena.

I also have a sports practice specialising in treatment provided by medical staff in elite sport.

I am currently representing a number of professional rugby players and am a panel member for the Rugby Players Association. I advised the RPA on the concussion protocol which was implemented by the RFU at the start of the 2014/15 season.

In December 2016, I lectured to the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons on the World Anti Doping Code. Download a copy of the lecture.

Testimonials

"He is hard-working, with very good client skills." – Chambers & Partners 2018

Cases I've Been Involved With

Read My Comments On The Latest News

“The vast majority of babies born in the UK suffer no serious problems but there are a growing number who are not so fortunate and suffer injuries at birth which can be devastating.
“Birth injuries can be catastrophic. Many babies injured at birth suffer cerebral palsy and severe brain injuries which leaves them disabled for the rest of their lives. They will often need 24-hour care for life and will never work or be able to live independently.
“From our experience investigating maternity care on behalf of the families affected, many birth injuries are wholly avoidable and there are several common factors that keep occurring: failures in interpreting CTG heartbeats, incorrect use of the syntocinon drug, delays in decisions to undertake caesarean sections and not having consultants present at high risk births. Better training, safer staffing levels and more robust procedures could help reduce the risk of these issues.
“It’s often only because of medical negligence cases that some of these issues come to light and reoccurring issues become known. It’s therefore crucial that lessons are learnt to improve patient safety for others.”

“It’s hugely disappointing to see that Northampton have not been held to account for the handling of George North’s injury as it was an chance to make a statement and remind clubs, players and fans how serious an issue it is.
“The concussion protocol can only be effective if the doctor's decision to allow the player to return to play stands up to scrutiny. Which is why the findings and lack of punishment in today’s report feel like a backwards step, with the experts stating that Northampton could and should have done more to prevent North returning to the playing field.
“After a billion dollar court battle in America, the NFL has finally introduced the type of rules around concussion that rugby may need to adopt. In the NFL, if a concussion is identified then the player is removed from play and cannot return until the team physician and an unaffiliated consultant reviews both the video of the play and performs an examination.
“Surely it is now time for all suspected concussions to be reviewed by an independent doctor, without time pressures, which will allow a balanced decision to be made. If that affects the outcome of the game, so be it. Long-term health is more important than winning a game.
“This isn’t the first time George North has played on when all those watching thought he should be off the pitch and it proves that players need protecting from themselves. This was an opportunity for the panel to make a statement about concussion and the importance of a safety first approach and it has been wasted.”

“As a result of this terrible error, this boy, who as a young teenager should be finding his independence, instead needs the support of doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, carers, educational services, a professional deputy and much more.
“The last five years have been incredibly difficult for the family who have cared for their son with limited support. We hope that this settlement will enable them to now look forward and make plans for the future and hope that our young client will now be able to access the services that he needs to live a full and happy life.
“It is encouraging the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust conducted their own investigations and were able to make an early admission of fault. It is our hope that they and other NHS Trusts will continue to learn from the mistakes made and ensure that their practices are improved in the hope that no other family will have to endure what this family has been through.”

“It is imperative that Brighton NHS Trust continue to take the findings of the CQC seriously and take swift action to make the necessary improvements which could potentially save lives.
“We see the impact these kind of failings can have on patients and their families and it is vital that patient safety is the number one priority.
The trust also needs to address the long-standing issues surrounding its people policies and implement an immediate programme of change to improve the culture of the organisation and the service to its patients.”